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Buffalo-1908.jpg
http://www.conigliofamily.com/Buffalo.htm
Adirondacks_Summer.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.outdoorbound.com


The original Erie Canal was constructed from 1817 and 1825. The canal was so successful it was expanded three times from 1836 to 1862. The result was a 350 mile canal from Albany to Buffalo. By observing the pictures,why was it difficult to transport goods, food, supplies, people from one side of the state to the other on dirt roads? Why was a canal better?



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1. What are four major cities along the Erie Canal?


Mrs. Rebock: There are a lot of cities! Have you heard of any of them?



2. What waterway connected the Erie Canal to New York City?


Mrs. Rebock: Don't let other answers sway you. Put on your thinking cap and decide for yourself.



Document B: Chart on Erie Canal

Travel During the Erie Canal Era


Dirt Road
(freight)
Canal
(freight)
Method
Wagon 8 Horse----
Line Boat 2 Mules----
Amount of Time
15-45 Days
9 Days
Cost
$100/Ton
$6/Ton


1. How long did it take to ship freight along the Erie Canal during the Canal Era?






Listen to Pete Seeger sing "The Erie Canal" from his Children's Concert

erie_canal_lock-550x367.jpg
www.lowbridgeproductions.com

Mrs. Rebock: Look how cool this is. Water is spilling into the empty canal. I wonder which way the vessel is traveling...up or down the canal?








2. Give two advantages of using the Erie Canal instead of dirt roads to transport freight during the Erie Canal.

a.


b.




Document C: State of New York Report on The Barge Canal

New York City was ranked fourth in population in 1800 rose to first place . . . Albany doubled its population within a few years. The population of Utica increased from 3,000 to 13,000 in twenty years. Syracuse, which was described as a "desolate" hamlet of a few scattered wooden houses in 1820, became a city of 11,000 in 1840. During approximately the same period, Rochester changed from "one wide and deep forest" to a prosperous community of 20,000. Buffalo, a wilderness outpost of 200 in 1812, became a gateway to the west and its population reached 18,000 by 1840.

State of New York Report on The Barge Canal, Legislative Document 1961

1. What was the population of Buffalo in 1840?





2. What effect did the Erie Canal have on the cities located along the Canal?